Background:
I plan on starting a small online store selling computer hardware +hardware review site basically. I am considering Site5.com as my web host. I have yet receive a reply (It's been 24 hours already and I haven't heard from them yet) from their sales to know if phpnuke, nukeaddon 5.2, gallery addon + an online shopping cart - http://theexchangeproject.org/downloads.php?
I'm considering this shopping cart though I am open to different options. My business will operate in Malaysia and will focus mainly on local within city business.

Now, down to the questions:
1. What's the cheapest method to operate online shopping business? At first I thought I could grab their credit card information and charge them whatever they are supposed to be charged. Now I was told on IRC that if I don't use a merchant processor such as verisign, no one will buy from me.
Can somebody explain to me what I should do in this situation?

2. I think I may have found an alternative. Since I will be doing within city business, I thought maybe I could just bill people using other shipping methods. I got this idea from some Australian site:
https://secure.pccasemods.com/store/commerce.cgi

They use commerce.cgi whatever script that is. Anyway, these are the following billing methods:
Standard Post
Australian Post 500g (+3.50 etc.)
Australia Post <different weights>
Cash on Delivery
International Shipping
Other <Specify>

I like to know however, how do you charge people this way?

Still, if someone can suggest a good script that would do the job, good.

3. If it's not automated, could someone give me suggestions on how to receive money - Must I open a special bank account? Must I be authorized?

I really like the features of site5.com. I have not seen any other web hosts that quite impress me yet. I bought a website from powweb.com 2-3 months ago and found out it's so limited. It's difficult to work with (without telnet), it's PHP support is a nightmare - CGI version of PHP and technical support is aweful.
So to those of you out there anyway, never use powweb.com
I have a 1 year contract with them but I am willing to let them have it.

Thank you for reading. All replies are appreciated. :-)

Cheers,
Irwin

I prefer to communicate with my webhost personally via ICQ. If some webhost who read this is interested in helping me out, please talk to me on ICQ: 1292062.

Thank you :-)

Hello.

If you go with a web host that offers SSL/secure server you can use the host's Verisign or Thawte certificate by sharing the host's secure server. Some customers however would prefer you have your own certificate. You can purchase a certificate from Verisign or Thawte and your host can install it for you (might charge a setup fee for it). But I think using a shared secure server is a very good way to start.

Most people who shop online want to use a CC. If you don't accept credit cards you are missing many sales. Remember that people work so COD (cash on delivery) won't go over well with people who work. Visa and Mastercard are most common, maybe Discover too. I wouldn't worry too much about Amex at this time. Maybe add paypal as well as CC's but *not* in place of it.

Check Worlpay,
I use revecom right now but will be transfering to worldpay pretty soon.

I heard good stuff about them.